Posted tagged ‘Verizon’

Android may be “open source,” but the Google services including navigation, integrated Gmail, and other things are not. This was made quite clear last year, when Google slapped the leading Android phone modder, Cyanogen, with a cease-and-desist notice for including Google’s proprietary software in his custom builds, which savvy Android users use to circumvent carriers’ crippling of their phones.

Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg says the company has told Apple that it wants to carry the iPhone. But he declined to say when — or even if — the popular smart phone will be available for Verizon Wireless customers.

«First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win.»

The debut of a fourth-generation iPhone this summer and, later, a second version of the device designed for use on CDMA networks like those operated by Verizon, will be great news for Apple, AT&T and, potentially, Verizon. But it doesn’t bode well at all for Palm, which has already seen strong competition from the iPhone and new Android devices like the Droid undermine sales of its Pixi, Pre and their “Plus” successors.

The commercial features two men on a park bench, and one character, Steve, has an iPhone that his friend, Matt, says is «limited to AT&T’s 3G speeds.» The pitchman says that the Overdrive 4G mobile hotspot from Sprint can make data connections with the iPhone «up to 10 times faster.»

The advertisement carries an approach similar to one that competitor Verizon hopes to take with the forthcoming iPad from Apple. Earlier this month, it was revealed that Verizon has asked its employees to pitch data plans for the iPad that can be shared with a mobile hotspot device like a MiFi.

The internal memo from Verizon called the impending launch of the iPad, set to debut on April 3, an «opportunity» to court new customers. Verizon salespeople were asked to convince customers to buy a Wi-Fi-only version of the iPad and connect it to the Verizon 3G network with a MiFi.

“Given the sizable discounts now prevalent on the Pixi, it now suggests that the real problems for the Pixi and the Pre go beyond insufficient carrier support and unfocused TV advertising campaigns,” CL King analyst Lawrence Harris observed in a research note to clients this morning. “Rather, consumers are not finding the Pixi a compelling product in an increasingly competitive smartphone market.”

The question of what carrier or carriers would offer wireless data access for Apple’s tablet device, should it offer the connectivity as many expect, similarly remains shrouded in uncertainty. Reports dating back many months have claimed that Apple has been working with Verizon on the tablet project, with more recent reports continuing to hint at such a possibility. Boy Genius Report even reported yesterday that Verizon is holding a quarterly update meeting with its store managers tomorrow, with staff expected to view a «live webcast» scheduled for 1:00 PM Eastern time, coinciding with Apple’s media event.

The tablet may not be a Verizon-exclusive, however, if other reports are correct. An analyst report earlier this month pointed to support for multiple carriers, with another article just last week claiming that Apple is in last-minute negotiations with both AT&T and Verizon over wireless access for the tablet. Daring Fireball’s John Gruber, who has offered accurate information on Apple’s plans in the past, has said that he believes the tablet may even be an AT&T exclusive, although a multi-carrier arrangement involving both AT&T and Verizon may be an option.